MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State wrestling team returns home to Taylor Center this weekend as it hosts MSU Moorhead on Friday and Northern State on Saturday. Both duals are scheduled to begin a 7:00 p.m.

The Mavericks (12-3, 5-1 NSIC) have won their last five duals, including their first shutout since Dec. 16, 2023 when they shutout Arizona Christian.

Last Time Out: Last weekend on the road, Minnesota State extended its winning streak to five duals as the Mavericks bested Jamestown 49-0 and UMary 17-16. In total, the Mavericks won 15 of the 20 matches, including two via fall, five via tech fall and two via major decision.

Five Mavericks, including sophomore Jacob Fitzpatrick (125 lbs.), junior Chase Beckett (133 lbs.), junior Walker Bents (149 lbs.), senior Caleb Meunier (157 lbs.) and senior Drake Hayward (174 lbs.) each recorded a pair of wins last weekend. Fitzpatrick and Hayward both notched a tech fall and a major decision, while Meunier posted a fall and a decision. Bents notched a tech fall and a decision, while Beckett won a pair of decisions.

NWCA Rankings: Minnesota State remains unranked in the latest NWCA Poll but is receiving votes. Junior Walker Bents (149 lbs.) was ranked 13th, while senior Caleb Meunier (157 lbs.) was ranked 8th. Senior Drake Hayward (174 lbs.) was ranked 13th as well.

Scouting the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the week the owner of a 4-6 record, including a 1-4 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, the Dragons bested Southwest Minnesota State 28-13 and Concordia-Moorhead 35-13.

In total, the Dragons won 14 of their 20 matches last weekend. Clayson Mele (125 lbs.) won two matches via fall and decision, while Pedro Velazquez (141 lbs.) notched major decision and decision victories. Parker Benz (149 lbs.) notched a pin and a decision, while Anthony Sykora (174 lbs.) scored a tech fall and a major decision. Edon Davis (184 lbs.) posted a fall and tech fall as well, while Liam Babitt (285 lbs.) won both of his matches via fall.

The Dragons are coached by Kris Nelson who is in his 17th season as head coach at MSU Moorhead.

The Mavericks owns a 39-6-1 all-time record against the Dragons and have won their last 10 encounters dating back to the 2014-15 season. Last season, the Mavericks bested the Dragons 26-10 in Taylor Center.

Scouting the Wolves: Northern State enters the week the owner of a 5-3 record, including a 2-3 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, NSU fell to UW-Parkside 22-12.

In total, the Wolves won four of their 10 matches via decision against the Rangers.

Sloan Johannsen (125 lbs.) won his match 6-2, before Krayle Stormer (141 lbs.) turned in a 5-2 win. #11 Brady Westall (184 lbs.) added an 8-7 win as well, while Ryan Hirschkorn (197 lbs.) posted an 8-1 win.

Like Minnesota State, Northern State is unranked in the latest NWCA poll but is receiving votes. Two NSU wrestlers have been individually ranked including #14 Rudy Lopez (149 lbs.) and #11 Brady Westall (184 lbs.).
The Wolves are coached by Josh Nolan who is in his first season as head coach at Northern State.

Minnesota State owns a 22-4 all-time record against Northern State. In their most recent outing last season, the Wolves bested the Mavericks 21-14 in Aberdeen, S.D.

Coming Up: Minnesota State continues its season on the road as it takes on #13 St. Cloud State on Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m.